Author Question: A patient with chronic otitis media is diagnosed with a cholesteatoma. The nurse realizes that what ... (Read 38 times)

dollx · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient with chronic otitis media is diagnosed with a cholesteatoma. The nurse realizes that what would be the treatment of choice for this patient?

1. surgery
2. nothing; it will resolve on its own
3. antibiotics
4. tympanostomy tubes

Question 2

A patient with chronic acute otitis media infections is having tympanostomy tubes placed. What should post-tube placement instructions for this patient include?

1. Avoid getting any water into the ears.
2. Wash hair only with warm water.
3. Make sure showers are completed within 10 minutes.
4. Avoid gum chewing.

guyanai · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Cholesteatomas are benign and slow-growing tumors that can enlarge to fill the entire middle ear. Untreated, the cholesteatoma can progressively destroy the ossicles and erode into the inner ear and cause profound hearing loss. A cholesteatoma may require delicate surgery for its removal. If at all possible, radical mastoidectomy with removal of the tympanic membrane, ossicles, and tumor is avoided. Antibiotics are not appropriate treatment. Tympanostomy tubes are not used to treat a cholesteatoma.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
While the tube is in place, it is important to avoid getting any water in the ear canal because it may then enter the middle ear space. Avoiding the introduction of water into the ear rather than the length of showers and temperature of the water is the concern. Gum chewing may produce discomfort, but it is not as crucial as avoiding the introduction of water into the ear canal.